Ohio Historical Society -- Lustron Home

Travel back to the 1950's and step into a Lustron Home -- a fully metal home manufactured here in Columbus, Ohio.
On display inside the Ohio Historical Society, the prefabricated single-family residence was the height of modern life -- compact and easy-care. The exhibit offers a hands-on opportunity to understand and reflect on some of the prevailing issues of the decade -- from McCarthyism to rock and roll.

[@johnhamilton2680]

My dad put a down payment on a Lustron home in East Liverpool, Ohio in 1949. He had a small gas station down the street from where we lived. He met my Mom across the street from his gas station. My Mom was born in that house across the street (my grandmothers house) where they met. Our Lustron home was built about 6 blocks up the street from her house. He borrowed the down payment from an attorney on a hand shake. He had the gas station for over 40 years. I was a lucky kid. My Dad was the greatest guy I ever met. Until I was a teenager, at the end of every school year he'd take me down to the shoe store a buy me a pair of work boots just like he wore. I set them by the toilet in our Lustron home just like he did. My Mom would pack sandwiches in the summer time and bring them down to the station for us to eat. She brought Mason jars full of Instant Maxwell House Coffee for us. He let me drink coffee. He had a Coke machine in the gas station and he showed me where the key was; I could have all the Coke and Vernon's Ginger Ale I wanted. He didn't care. I'm sure I was in the way a lot but he never showed it. I think he liked having me around. He let me offer Cokes to the customers. He'd give me nickels to go across the street to the penny candy store. I never asked for the nickels; I knew he'd just give them to me. He let me build a little fort behind the mufflers and tailpipes in the back of the station. I'd take naps back there if I got sleepy. Every day I'd go across the street and see my grandmother and great grandmother in the house where my mom was born. Yes, I was a lucky guy, and I still am.

[@hellacoorinna9995]

That sounds like it was a awesome childhood.

[@daytonasixty-eight1354]

That's great man! Too bad kids today are denied a childhood as nice as this as boomers ruined the world.

[@theshyestsasquatch]

Why did you put your boots by the toilet?

[@kevinroley4680]

Damn that was one hell of a childhood. I wish I had one like that

[@keeliebrewer9014]

I live in a Lustron home!

[@daltonleathers6425]

That's awesome!!

[@ronsasso7832]

@bert smith I live in a Lustron home and it's fantastic! No problems with cell reception.

[@ronsasso7832]

What model do you have? I have a Lustron Newport, 2 bedroom. One of only 24 models ever made.

[@joysoyo2416]

Lucky!

[@brandydillensneider2078]

That View Master at the 1:55ish mark is the 1980s version. Also, there is another brand of home that people are into - Sears Kit Houses.

[@ryanbarker5217]

i didn't know these were made in my state, that's cool.

[@susanschramm2149]

I have owned one since 1996...The best house ever.

[@daviddavid5880]

I'd totally buy this now.

[@GaryAndSusanTalbott]

I've been several times in the past year. I love it. I'd love to own one!

[@mariahmiller165]

My husband and i go every few weeks. by far my favorite exhibit. love this era in decor etc

[@JohnQualley-oe4tz]

I went there in 2019 pre pandemic. Wonderful display that all should see! Only one I've seen with a Thor Washer in the kitchen

[@mdschererco]

I guess I am part of the cool group who knows what a Lustron house is. I just finished reading a really good complete book on them. In addition to the cool design and structure, I find the idea cozy and these smaller houses remind me of growing up in my neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio, as opposed to the large, tree-less yards with overly large cookie cutter houses. I think there are 9 Lustrons left in Toledo. One near me when a child, my dad would always point out and say "That is a steel house." So HE knew, and I never learned about them until much later.

[@florriehathorn1890]

I lived in one of these in Greensboro, NC - I believe it is still there! It was a great experience - we did have mice who lived in the walls and behind the built in cabinets - but we also had a fairly skilled kitty who would retrieve them for us and convince them that there were easier places for them to live! I would own one - but moved back to Louisiana. My cousin who live in La. said he took piano lessons from a lady who lived in a Lustron home in Alexandria, Louisiana. They're really fun and a great conversation starter! I wrote a song about "Livin' in a Lustron Home"!

[@hokkida]

There's a house I found for sale in North Carolina that is also a Luston House

[@florriehathorn1890]

@@hokkida I wrote a song about "Livin' in a Lustron Home" - We were biding our time in Greensboro North Carolina We were looking for a place to live with two golden retrievers and a neurotic cat a bunch of guitars, you need some room for all that then we met a young lady named Keri She was the Greensboro Rent-a-Home gal She said I've got a place for you You've got to see it 'fore your through You'll either love it or you'll hate it A lot of trees shade it You could be livin' in Lustron Home You'll never be alone It'll be fun, it'll be nice It'll be a party every night with metal walls and it's own family of mice!

[@hokkida]

@@florriehathorn1890 Yes

[@ds7675]

Lazerchow There’s one for sale right now on the Instagram site called Cheap Old Houses. They’re really cool.

[@cireus4322]

Just bought mine in Columbus Indiana:)

[@gtaclevelandcity]

Fallout 4

[@hannahkopera532]

+gtaclevelandcity the hype is real

[@cjpow4867]

Sanctuary Hills was based on these.

[@TS-ev1bl]

"Crawl out through the fallout baby, when they drop that bomb."

[@earlpatterson369]

I would love to live in that kind house

[@robt5818]

This is fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

[@shadowweaver3693]

I was just waiting for Codworth to show up 😂

[@scottmedeiros5493]

So charming I love the kitchen it's so cute

[@davidcattin7006]

We have a yellow one here in Peru, Indiana!

[@sir_christmas_leopold_duckson]

There is one of these still standing in my town and I've always wanted to buy it.

[@eattherich9215]

I guess the rock cladding on the outside is magnetic. 😂😂😂

[@TaxFraudTutorials]

I was so caught off-guard by the club penguin music lmao

[@NikkiWrightVGM]

Never have to worry about painting it or replacing the roof.... until the nuclear apocalypse anyway :P

[@Skillet98]

That's okay. All you need is some corrugated metal, some duct tape, and a pencil or two. Then you can fix it up, good as new! Watch out for raiders!

[@TS-ev1bl]

Or termites.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Hahaha finally a fallout reference

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

@@Runco990 same here

[@idajaffuneh]

we live in exactly the same looking house.same design,kitchen,living room and the bedroom is exactly the same but we live in iowa.

[@skooterkat897]

Are these houses hard to heat

[@cynthia9575]

We want to plan a visit to Ohio just to see the Lustron home. I dream of owning one.

[@bethparker1500]

There are 8 off Brooks st in Ann Arbor Michigan. 🎉

[@misskatzlife5892]

they need something like this in san francisco to help with housing shortage.

[@henray76]

The ultimate fallout 4 merch

[@chaosisthebestsauce]

im sorry but the club penguin pizza shop song just made me lose it

[@joysoyo2416]

That utility room could be a small 3rd bedroom if needed too.

[@cjpow4867]

I wish the stone wasn't added to the outside of the couple's house. Itd be nice if it was COMPLETELY original.

[@NikkiWrightVGM]

I like to think thats just one giant magnet made to look like stone

[@MrPhotodoc]

There are 5 of these homes in Macomb, Il.

[@GothGuy885]

my only question is, if these were, and are in areas that experience Tornado's and hurricanes,would they survive such a storm? and if they were in CA, how would they hold up in our earthquakes? otherwise, pretty cool houses 😀

[@np6869]

We have one in my home town of Xenia Ohio

[@poochillipickles8525]

Come back to life plz

[@donovannotmyname7306]

I wonder how these would do her in AZ, if they had AC i would've taken one.

[@isaacsrandomvideos667]

Fallout

[@FirstWorlder]

What a pompous couple.

[@kevinroley4680]

The woman must be from columbus. She says Klumbus. How damn great is that? Lustrons were made in Columbus, at the old North American or write aircraft plant near the airport